U.S. patent number 6,789,280 [Application Number 08/774,150] was granted by the patent office on 2004-09-14 for articulated medical bed.
Invention is credited to Gerald S. Paul.
United States Patent |
6,789,280 |
Paul |
September 14, 2004 |
Articulated medical bed
Abstract
An articulated medical bed for supporting a person in
articulated movement is disclosed. The bed comprises a main frame
defining a base and an articulated support frame including an upper
body section pivotally connected to the base, a seat section
pivotally connected to the upper body section and a detachably
mounted lower leg section pivotally connected to the seat section.
An elongated link member pivotally connects the lower leg section
to the base. A glide member is mounted on the seat section and
supported for linear movement along the base whereby the seat
section is supported for rocking movement about the glide member. A
linear actuator is connected to the upper body section for
simultaneously actuating the upper body section, seat section and
lower leg section in articulated movement. A side rail is supported
on the base and includes telescoping inner and outer horizontal
rail members extending between vertical rail members. A detent
supported on one of the inner horizontal rail members is engagable
with a plurality of recesses formed in one of the outer horizontal
rail members. Engagement of the detent with one of the recesses
locks the inner horizontal rail member relative to the outer
horizontal rail member thereby defining a plurality of positive
stop positions. The linear actuator is controlled by a control
stick supported on the side rail and located within a plane defined
by the horizontal and vertical rail members.
Inventors: |
Paul; Gerald S. (Liberty,
Union, IN) |
Family
ID: |
25100390 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/774,150 |
Filed: |
December 26, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/617; 5/425;
5/613; 5/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
7/012 (20130101); A61G 7/015 (20130101); A61G
7/0507 (20130101); A61G 7/0509 (20161101); A61G
7/0513 (20161101); A61G 7/018 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
20/04 (20060101); A47C 20/08 (20060101); A47C
20/00 (20060101); A61G 7/012 (20060101); A61G
7/015 (20060101); A61G 7/002 (20060101); A61G
7/018 (20060101); A61G 007/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/617,618,616,613,425,427,429,430 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shackelford; Heather
Assistant Examiner: Conley; Fredrick
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stevens & Showalter LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An articulated bed comprising: a main frame defining a base; an
articulated support frame mounted to said base for supporting a
person in articulated movement; an actuator for actuating said
support frame in articulated movement; a side rail located along a
side of said support frame, said side rail including vertical rail
members extending above said support frame and horizontal rail
members extending between said vertical rail members; and control
means for operation by a person supported on said support frame,
said control means comprising a control stick supported on at least
one of said vertical and horizontal rail members wherein movement
of said control stick actuates said actuator.
2. The bed of claim 1 wherein said vertical and said horizontal
rail members define a vertical side rail plane and said control
stick lies within said side rail plane.
3. The bed of claim 2 wherein said control stick is moveable within
said side rail plane.
4. The bed of claim 2 wherein said control stick comprises an
elongated rod having a distal end located adjacent to said one of
said vertical and horizontal rail members and a proximal end
pivotally mounted in spaced relation to said one of said vertical
and horizontal rail members.
5. The bed of claim 1 wherein said support frame includes an upper
body section pivotally connected to said base, a seat section
pivotally connected to said upper body section and a lower leg
section pivotally connected to said seat section, and said control
stick is movable in a first direction to actuate said actuator for
moving said upper body section upwardly and said control stick is
movable in a second direction to actuate said actuator for moving
said upper body section downwardly.
6. The bed of claim 5 wherein actuation of said actuator to move
said upper body section upwardly causes a pivot connection between
said upper body section and said seat section to move downwardly,
and causes a pivot connection between said seat section and said
lower leg section to move upwardly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to adjustable beds and, more
particularly, to articulated medical beds for use in the long term
care and home care markets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Bedridden individuals often develop blood circulation problems and
commonly experience general discomfort from lying in a single
planar position over extended periods of time. To facilitate the
occupant's care and comfort, medical beds are often designed to
include distinct articulated support sections which are adjustable
between a plurality of positions. The articulated sections
typically provide for occupant positions ranging from a horizontal
lying position to a contoured sitting position.
While articulated beds have found wide spread use in hospitals,
nursing homes, long term care facilities and home care markets,
such beds are usually expensive devices employing complicated
adjustment mechanisms. An example of such an adjustable bed is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,786 to Casey et al. The bed in
Casey et al. includes a complex linkage arrangement driven by two
separate actuators for adjusting three articulated support
sections. One actuator moves an articulated head section while a
second actuator adjusts articulated foot and thigh sections.
Accordingly, there is a need for an articulated medical bed of a
simple design including multiple articulated support sections which
are adjustable by a single actuator.
Another problem often associated with articulated medical beds is
the length of the sleeping surface. Hospitals, nursing homes and
long term care facilities typically cannot predict the height of
their incoming patients or residents. These facilities often waste
limited resources by purchasing a variety of beds having different
sleeping surface lengths. Accordingly, there is a need for an
articulated bed which may be easily and inexpensively altered to
adapt its sleeping surface length to the height of its
occupant.
It is well known in the art to use a safety side rail in
conjunction with articulated medical beds. Such side rails are
typically located adjacent to the sleeping surface and prevent the
occupant from falling out of the bed. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,823,428 to Whyte and U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,880 to Koncelik et al.,
side rails are often adjustable in a horizontal direction. However,
the prior art side rails have limited adjustability in that they
have positive stops only in a fully retracted or fully extended
state. The occupant is often inadequately protected when the side
rail is fully retracted in that a large opening exists through
which the patient could fall. Conversely, the occupant is often
unnecessarily confined when the side rail is fully extended.
Accordingly, there is a need for an articulated medical bed
including a adjustable side rail having intermediate positive stops
between fully retracted and fully extended positions.
Articulated medical beds are typically adjusted by the occupant
utilizing a controller for causing articulated movement of the
support sections. The controller usually comprises either a
hand-held push button or a push button embedded in one of the side
rails of the bed. Patients will often lack the hand-eye
coordination, finger dexterity or mental alertness required to
operate the prior art controllers. Accordingly, there is a need for
an articulated medical bed having a controller which facilitates
operation by disoriented occupants or those lacking good
coordination skills or finger dexterity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an articulated medical bed of a
simple structure including an articulated, variable length support
frame which is adjustable by a single actuator activated by a
control stick mounted to a telescoping side rail having
intermediate positive stop positions.
In accordance with the present invention, an articulated medical
bed is disclosed which includes an articulated support frame
mounted to a base defined by a main frame. The support frame
includes an upper body section, a seat section and a lower leg
section. A pivot connection connects the upper body section to the
main frame for pivotal movement of the upper body section relative
to the base. A first end of the seat section is pivotally connected
to an end of the upper body section while a second end of the seat
section is pivotally connected to a first end of the lower leg
section. Elongated link members have first ends pivotally connected
to the main frame and second ends pivotally connected to a second
end of the lower leg section. The lower leg section and the
elongated link members are detachably mounted whereby the lower leg
section is replaceable with another lower leg section having a
different length. A glide member is mounted on the seat section and
supported for linear movement along the base. The seat section is
supported for rocking movement about the glide member in response
to pivotal movement of the upper body section about the pivot
connection. A linear actuator is connected to the upper body
section for actuating the upper body section in pivotal movement.
Upon pivotal movement of the upper body section, the seat section
and lower leg section are simultaneously actuated for articulated
movement.
A side rail is supported on the main frame and located adjacent to
the support frame. The side rail includes vertical rail members
extending above the support frame and horizontal rail members
extending between the vertical rail members. The horizontal rail
members comprise inner horizontal rail members received within
outer horizontal rail members in a telescoping relationship whereby
the inner horizontal rail members are mounted for movement relative
to the outer horizontal rail members. One of the inner horizontal
rail members defines a fully retracted position of the inner
horizontal rail member relative to the outer horizontal rail
member. A plurality of recesses are formed in one of the outer
horizontal rail members for receiving a detent supported on one of
the inner horizontal rail members. Engagement of the detent with
one of the recessed portions locks the inner horizontal member
relative to the outer horizontal member in either a fully extended
position or a predetermined intermediate position between the fully
retracted and fully extended positions.
Operation of the linear actuator is controlled by movement of a
control stick supported on at least one of the vertical and
horizontal rail members of the side rail. The control stick is
preferably located within a side rail plane defined by the vertical
and horizontal rails. Movement of the control stick in a first
direction actuates the actuator for moving the upper body section
upwardly while movement of the control stick in a second direction
actuates the actuator for moving the upper body section downwardly.
As the upper body section moves upwardly, the pivot connection
between the upper body section and the seat section moves
downwardly, while the pivot connection between the seat section and
the lower leg section moves upwardly. As the upper body section
moves downwardly, the seat section and lower leg section articulate
in a reverse direction. The pivot connection between the seat
section and the lower leg section is never lower than the pivot
connection between the upper body section and the seat section such
that the occupant's feet are never lower than his hips thereby
facilitating improved blood circulation.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
articulated medical bed of simple design including a support frame
having multiple articulated support sections which are
simultaneously adjustable by a single actuator.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such an
articulated medical bed wherein the support frame has an adjustable
length.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an
articulated medical bed including an adjustable side rail having
intermediate positive stop positions between fully retracted and
fully extended positions.
Still another object of the invention is to provide such an
articulated medical bed having a control stick which facilities
activation of the actuator by a disoriented occupant or one lacking
good coordination skills or finger dexterity.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the following description, the accompanying drawings and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the articulated medical bed of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view with a partial cut-away of the articulated
medical bed of the invention, showing the support frame in a planar
position;
FIG. 3 is a side view with a partial cut-away of the articulated
medical bed of FIG. 2, showing the support frame in a contoured
position;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the articulated medical bed of FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the side rail of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the side rail of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the second portion of the side rail of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the bottom inner horizontal rail
member with a partial cut-away showing the lock structure of the
invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the lock structure taken along
line 9--9 in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a back view of the controller of the invention shown
mounted to the side rail;
FIG. 11 is a right side view of the controller of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a left side view of the controller of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a side view with a partial cut-away of the controller of
the invention taken along line 13--13 in FIG. 11; and
FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of the guide member of
the invention taken along line 14--14 in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention
comprises an articulated medical bed 10 including an adjustable
bottom structure 12 supporting a main frame 14 and an articulated
support frame 16. While omitted from the drawings and the following
discussion, it is to be understood that a mattress and mattress
supporting structure are supported upon the support frame 16 in a
manner as is well known in the art.
The adjustable bottom structure 12 is of a type well known in the
art and includes two identical linkage assemblies 18, 20 which are
operably connected by parallel connecting angle irons 22, 24 (FIGS.
1 and 4). Each linkage assembly 18, 20 includes brackets 26, 28
mounted to the main frame 14. A first pair of parallel link members
30, 32 have first ends pivotally mounted to bracket 26 and second
ends pivotally mounted to a wheel assembly 36. A second pair of
parallel link members 33, 34 (FIG. 2) are connected to parallel
link members 30, 32, by transverse rods 38, 39 and wheel assembly
36. Each transverse rod 38 is pivotally connected to angle irons
22, 24 by a bracket structure 40. A motor 42, in response to a
control switch 43, selectively rotates a drive screw 44 which is
threadably received within a first end of a drive rod 46. A second
end of the drive rod 46 is welded to a bracket 47 which joins the
angle irons 22 and 24, wherein rotation of the drive screw 44
causes linear movement of the angle irons 22 and 24 (FIGS. 1 and
4). As the angle irons 22 and 24 move, each bracket structure 40
causes the respective transverse rod 38 to rotate wherein the link
members 30, 32 and 34, 36 of each linkage assembly 18, 20 pivot.
The main frame 14 and articulated support frame 16 are thereby
forced to move vertically relative to the wheel assemblies 36
wherein the height of the bed 10 is adjusted.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the main frame 14 includes side angle
irons 48, 49 welded or otherwise securely fixed to end angle irons
50, 52 to define a generally rectangular base. The upper surface of
side angle irons 48, 49 define upwardly facing elongated support
portions 54, 56, respectively. Fixedly secured to the side angle
irons 48, 49 is a transverse support member 57 having brackets 58
and 60 welded thereto which project upwardly.
Supported above the main frame 14 is the articulated support frame
16 comprising adjacent articulated upper body, seat and lower leg
sections 62, 64 and 66, respectively, which are adapted for
supporting a person in articulated movement. The upper body section
62 is formed of a U-shaped angle iron having upper longitudinal
members 70, 72, an upper end member 74 and an open end 75. Cross
members 76, 78 are welded transversely to upper longitudinal
members 70 and 72 and thereby impart structural rigidity to the
upper body section 62 wherein a pair of hinges 80, 82 are welded to
cross member 78. The upper longitudinal members 70 and 72 form
pivot connections 84 and 86 with the brackets 58 and 60 of the main
frame 14 wherein the upper body section 62 is adapted for pivotal
movement relative to the main frame 14. The pivot connections 84
and 86 are located intermediate the cross member 78 and the open
end 75 of the upper body section 62.
The seat section 64 comprises a pair of seat longitudinal members
88, 90 formed of angle iron and each pivotally connected at a first
end to upper longitudinal members 70, 72 thereby forming upper
articulable connections 94, 96, respectively. The upper articulable
connections 94, 96 are formed by flange members 98, 100 which
extend longitudinally from the seat longitudinal members 88, 90 and
pivotally connect to the upper longitudinal members 70, 72,
respectively (FIG. 4). A pair of brackets 102, 104 are welded to
and extend downwardly from the seat longitudinal members 88, 90. A
pivot bar 106 is securedly fixed transversely between the brackets
102, 104. A pair of glide members 108, 110 are mounted to the pivot
bar 106 for engaging respective support portions 54, 56 of the main
frame 14. Each glide member 108, 110 preferably comprises a roller
111 mounted to an axle 112 which is rotatably received within a
bracket structure 114 (FIG. 4). The bracket 114 is welded to the
lower surface of the pivot bar 106.
The lower leg section 66 comprises a U-shaped angle iron having
lower longitudinal members 120, 122, a lower end member 124 and an
open end 126. A cross member 128 is welded to the lower
longitudinal members 120, 122 transversely to the lower leg section
66 for improved structural rigidity. The lower longitudinal members
120, 122 pivotally connect with the seat longitudinal members 88,
90 to define lower articulable connections 129, 130. The lower
articulable connections 129, 130 are formed by flange members 132,
134 longitudinally extending from the seat longitudinal members 88,
90 and pivotally mounted to the lower longitudinal members 120, 122
adjacent the open end 126 (FIG. 4).
A pair of brackets 136, 138 are welded to the lower end member 124
and project downwardly. Elongated link members 140, 142 have one
end pivotally connected to the brackets 136, 138 and a second end
pivotally mounted to the side angle irons 48, 49 adjacent the end
angle iron 52. The elongated link members 140, 142 are dimensioned
such that the lower leg section 66 is always maintained
substantially parallel to the main frame 14.
The lower leg section 66 is detachably mounted to the seat section
64 and to the elongated link members 140, 142. More specifically,
the lower articulable connections 129, 130 and connections to the
elongated link members 140, 142 include bolts 143 threadably
engaging nuts 145 which are easily removed in a manner as is well
known in the art. The lower leg section 66 may therefore be removed
and replaced with a lower leg section 144 having lower longitudinal
members 146, 148 of a different length than the length of members
120, 122. When altering the length of the lower leg section 66, the
elongated link members 140, 142 must likewise be replaced with
elongated link members 150, 152 of varied length for ensuring that
the lower leg section 66, 144 is always maintained in substantially
parallel alignment with the main frame 14.
The unique articulation of the support frame 16 allows the upper
body, seat and lower leg sections 62, 64 and 66 to be moved from a
planar configuration as shown in FIG. 2 to a contoured
recliner-like position as shown in FIG. 3. As the upper body
section 62 is tilted upwardly with respect to the base 54, the
upper body section 62 and seat section 64 articulate towards each
other, thereby defining a V-shaped "pocket" portion 154 for
receiving the buttocks and lower back portion of an occupant of the
bed 10. The dimensioning of the upper body section 62, seat section
64, lower leg section 66 and elongated link members 140, 142, in
combination with the positioning of the pivot connections 84, 86
and glide members 108, 110 ensure that the upper articulable
connections 94, 96 are never above the lower articulable
connections 129, 130 wherein the occupant's hips are never above
his feet. Further, the unique articulation structure of the support
frame 16 maintains the lower leg section 66 in substantially
parallel alignment with the main frame 14 regardless of the
position of the upper body section 62 and seat section 64.
Movement of the upper body section 62 about the pivot connections
84, 86 is provided by an actuator, preferably a standard electric
motor 156. A first end of a drive rod 160 threadably receives a
drive screw 162 which is rotated by the motor 156 in a conventional
manner. The second end of the drive rod 160 is pivotally mounted to
cross member 78 of the upper body section 62 by a shaft 166 passing
through the drive rod 160 and the hinges 80, 82 (FIG. 4).
In operation, as the motor 156 rotates the drive screw 162, the
drive rod 160 linearly moves thereby pushing against the shaft 166
and hinges 80, 82. In response, the upper body section 62 rotates
upwardly about the pivot connections 84, 86. The seat section 64
moves linearly towards the upper body portion 62 as the glide
members 108, 110 move along the support portions 54, 56. The glide
members 108, 110 further facilitate rocking movement of the seat
section 64 in response to movement of the upper body portion 62. As
the seat section 64 moves, the lower leg section 66 moves upwardly
away from the main frame 14 and towards the upper body section 62
while always remaining substantially parallel to the main frame
14.
Turning again to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment of the
invention, a side rail 200 is mounted to the main frame 14 through
a vertically adjustable parallelogram linkage 201 assembly of the
type well known in the art. Since details of the linkage assembly
201 form no part of the invention, they will not be further
discussed herein.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 and 14, the side rail 200 includes a
first portion 202 and a second portion 204 wherein the second
portion 204 is adapted for linear movement relative to the first
portion 202. The first portion 202 includes top, middle and bottom
outer horizontal rail members 206, 208, 210 formed of hollow
tubular steel having an internal passageway. A U-shaped steel tube
defines the top and bottom outer horizontal rail members 206 and
210 and the interconnecting vertical rail member 212. Vertical rail
member 212 includes an internal passageway communicating with the
internal passageway of the horizontal rail member 208 which is
welded centrally between rail members 206 and 210. Vertical rail
members 214 and 215 (FIGS. 5 and 14) are formed of steel rod and
are welded between outer horizontal rail members 206 and 208, and
208 and 210, respectively.
The second portion 204 of the side rail 200 includes top, middle
and bottom inner horizontal rail members 216, 218, 220 received
within respective outer horizontal rail members 206, 208, 210 in a
telescoping relationship as is well known in the art. A single
piece of hollow tubular steel formed into a U-shape defines top and
inner bottom horizontal rail members 216 and 220 and an
interconnecting vertical rail member 222. Middle inner horizontal
rail member 218 is formed of hollow tubular steel and welded to
vertical rail member 222 centrally between rail members 216 and
220. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the middle inner rail member 218 is
longer than the top and bottom inner rail members 216, 220. As
represented by reference letter "A" in FIG. 5, rail member 218
defines a fully retracted position of the second portion 204
relative to the first portion 202 wherein an end 224 of the rail
member 218 (FIG. 7) contacts an inner surface of the vertical rail
member 212.
The side rail 200 includes a locking means or lock structure 225
for defining a fully extended position, represented by reference
letter "C" in FIG. 4. The lock structure 225 further defines at
least one intermediate positive stop position of the second portion
204 relative to the first portion 202 as represented by reference
letter "B" in FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the preferred
embodiment of the lock structure 225 is shown as including a lock
housing 226 having a bore 228. A detent is received within the bore
228 and includes a pin 232 having a rounded first end 234 and a
second end 236 engaging a spring 238. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to
7, the lock housing 226 is received within the bottom inner
horizontal rail member 220 wherein the first end 234 of the pin 232
extends through an aperture 240 (FIG. 8) in the rail member 220. As
the inner horizontal rail members 216, 218, 220 are in sliding
engagement with the outer horizontal rail members 206, 208, 210,
the pin 232 is adapted to engage one of a plurality of apertures
242, 244 formed in the bottom outer horizontal rail 210 (FIG. 6).
As seen in FIG. 8, a shoulder 246 adjacent the second end 236 of
the pin 232 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the
aperture 240 wherein the detent 228 is retained within the lock
assembly 225.
In operation, as the side rail is extended from the fully retracted
position "A", the spring biased pin 232 will engage a first
aperture 242 thereby locking the second portion 204 of the side
rail 200 in the intermediate position "B". By depressing the pin
232, the second portion 204 is released for movement and may be
either retracted or extended. If extended, the pin 232 will engage
a second aperture 244 wherein the second portion 204 is locked in a
fully extended position "C" relative to the first portion 202. It
is readily apparent that additional apertures could be provided for
defining additional intermediate locking or positive stop
positions.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 11 and 14, the outer horizontal rail members
206, 208, 210 and vertical rail members 212, 214 define a side rail
plane 248 in which a controller 300 is located. The controller 300
preferably comprises a control stick movably mounted between the
vertical rail members 212, 214 (FIGS. 5 and 14). The control stick
includes an elongated rod 304 having a proximal end pivotally
mounted within a control box 308 (FIG. 13) and a distal end 306
located adjacent to the vertical rail member 214 (FIG. 14). Turning
to FIGS. 5 and 10-14, the control box 308 includes a front cover
310 having side walls 311, 312 which are secured to side walls 313,
314 of a rear cover 315 by a plurality of screws 316. The front
cover side walls 311, 312 and rear cover side walls 313, 314
together form mounting portions 318, 320, 322 for receiving the
outer horizontal rail members 206, 208, 210, respectively, such
that the control box 308 is restrained from movement.
Referring to FIG. 13, a mounting bracket 323 is secured to an
inside surface of the front cover 310 and includes inner and outer
wall members 324 and 326. Springs 328 and 330 connect the outer
wall member 326 to a pivot plate 332. The elongated rod 304 passes
through aperture 334 formed in the front cover side wall 311, rear
cover side wall 313 and outer wall member 326 of the mounting
bracket 323. The aperture 334 has a diameter greater than that of
the elongated rod 304 thereby permitting relative movement
therebetween. An extension rod 338 connects the elongated rod 304
to the pivot plate 332 such that the elongated rod 304 is pivotally
mounted. The springs 328, 330 act to bias the extension rod 338 and
elongated rod 304 towards a neutral horizontal position represented
by reference letter "D" in FIG. 13. A pair of switches 340, 342 are
mounted within inner wall member 324 of the mounting bracket 323
wherein the switch 340 is triggered when the rod 304 is in an
upward position, as represented by reference letter "E", and switch
342 is triggered when the rod is in a downward position, as
represented by reference letter "F". The switches 340, 342 are
preferably in the form of optical sensors for sensing the pivot
plate 332.
Turning again to FIGS. 5, 10 and 14, a guide Member 344 prevents
excessive travel and subsequent breakage of the elongated rod 304.
The guide member 344 includes a slot 346 adjacent the distal end
306 of the elongated rod 304 and a mounting portion 350 for
clamping about the vertical rail member 214. To securely fix the
guide member 344 to the side rail 200, the guide member 344 is
welded to the top and middle outer horizontal rail members 206,
208. While in the preferred embodiment the elongated rod 304 of the
control stick is mounted horizontally between the top and middle
outer horizontal rail members 206, 208 adjacent to vertical rail
member 214, it is to be understood that this in no way limits the
invention and that the elongated rod 304 could be mounted in a
number of different locations and orientations within the side rail
plane 248.
With reference to FIG. 13, as the elongated rod 304 is moved in a
first or upward direction "E", the switch 340 is triggered thereby
actuating the motor 156 for driving the upper body section 62
upwardly in a manner as described above. When the control stick 302
is released, the springs 328, 330 return the elongated rod 304 to a
neutral horizontal position "D" wherein the motor 156 is inactive.
As the elongated rod 304 is moved in a second or downward direction
"F", the switch 342 is triggered whereby the motor 156 is actuated
for driving the upper body section 62 downwardly. As detailed
above, when the upper body section 62 is moved, the seat section 64
and lower leg section 66 articulate in response.
From the above description, it should be apparent that the present
invention provides an articulated medical bed having an articulated
support frame of an adjustable length which is adjustable by a
single actuator wherein the user's feet are always maintained at a
higher elevation than his hips. Furthermore, the present invention
provides a horizontally adjustable side rail having locking stop
positions intermediate fully retracted and fully extended positions
wherein a control stick for actuating the actuator is positioned
within a plane as defined by the side rail.
While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a
preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and
that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope
of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *